Huges said: "It's a great feeling to be back in football and to be the manager of QPR.

"I'm fully aware of the challenge in the short and long term and I am genuinely excited about the ambition of the owners.

"Nobody can doubt the history of this great football club and the passion of its fantastically loyal supporters.

"Now the immediate priority is to consolidate our place in the Barclays Premier League, but beyond that, the future is very bright and fills me with great enthusiasm."

The 48-year-old succeeds Neil Warnock, who lost his job on Sunday night after Rangers slumped to within a point of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Chairman Fernandes said: "Mark has a proven track record in the Premier League, bringing a wealth of experience at both club and international level.

"He has a great passion to achieve as a manager and has already been hugely successful in his career.

"His ambitions match those of the board and we are delighted to have him at the helm."

Vice-chairman Amit Bhatia added: "Mark has a great managerial pedigree and has proven over the years to be a very astute manager.

"I am looking forward to working with him to bring success to the club."

Chief executive Philip Beard said: "Having spoken at length with Mark, I know he is brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation about the challenge of taking QPR forward and I believe he is the perfect choice to deliver the success we all desire."

Hughes, who had been linked with both Aston Villa and Sunderland since quitting Fulham, will be joined at QPR by assistant manager Mark Bowen, first-team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki and goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock.

Hughes' first game in charge will be Sunday's trip to Newcastle, before which QPR could find themselves in the bottom three.